Short Takes: November 16, 2011

As the holidays approach, Indiana law enforcement is cracking down. More than 260 state and local law enforcement agencies will be stepping up their efforts to detect impaired and unrestrained motorists on Hoosier roadways. Police will dedicate hundreds of overtime hours to Indiana’s Safe Family Travel enforcement mobilization, which utilizes high-visibility enforcement efforts such as saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints to specifically target traffic offenders. There were more than 2,000 collisions that occurred on Indiana roadways during the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday period, 10 of which were fatal. In fact, Thanksgiving was the second most deadly holiday on Hoosier roadways last year. “We’re asking Hoosiers to be smart when they celebrate this Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season” said ICJI Traffic Safety Division Director, Ryan Klitzsch. “Designate a sober driver if you chose to drink, and always wear your seat belt – it’s that simple.” There were 135 people killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in 2010. In fact, of the more than 4,900 alcohol-related collisions that occurred on Indiana roadways last year, nearly 30 percent resulted in death or injury. “Wearing your seat belt is the single best way to protect yourself from injury in a crash,” Klitzsch added. “Research consistently shows that it can reduce your risk of fatal injury by half.” Drivers should also remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast when traveling this holiday season. Changes in weather can cause roadway conditions to deteriorate, posing even more challenges for drivers. By planning ahead, staying alert, traveling safe speeds for conditions and avoiding driver distractions when you travel, we can all have a safe and happy holiday season. Indiana’s Safe Family Travel enforcement mobilization continues through Nove. 27. The “Safe Family Travel” campaign is funded through grant dollars awarded to Indiana from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) solely for the purpose of creating and maintaining initiatives that focus on issues of traffic safety.

PPIN Drops Price

Flu Shots $18

Planned Parenthood of Indiana has announced it is lowering the price of its influenza vaccines to $18 each. The vaccines, better known as “flu shots,” which were previously offered for $23, are available at the following 19 centers: Valparaiso, Merrillville, Avon, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis-Castleton, Indianapolis-Eastside, Indianapolis-Midtown, Indianapolis-Southside, Hammond, Lafayette, Madison, Mishawaka, Muncie, Richmond, Terre Haute, and Warsaw. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends annual vaccinations for everyone age six months or older. According to the CDC, the current vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming flu season. Each season, this includes an influenza B virus, an influenza A (H1N1) virus and an influenza A (H3N2) virus. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, the CDC says that most of the time flu activity peaks in January or later, and sometimes flu season can last through May. “This is a significant drop in the price of our flu shots, and I’m hopeful that as many Hoosiers as possible take advantage of it,” said PPIN President and CEO Betty Cockrum. “At $18, our vaccinations are often more affordable than you’ll find at your local pharmacies. “We’re here to help our patients stay healthy,” Cockrum added. “Because we’re often the only medical provider some of them will see, it’s important that in addition to reproductive health care, we offer a variety of basic preventive services like this at our centers.” Vaccinations at the PPIN health centers are available to patients 12 and older. Appointments must be made in advance. In Valparaiso, call 462-5976. Or call 1-800-230-PLAN for the center nearest you.

Portage YMCA

Plans Teen Lock-In

The Portage YMCA will be holding a Teen Lock-In starting 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 and ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday at the Portage YMCA. YMCA membership is not needed. The fee of $13 gets you eight hours, two hours of dancing with a professional DJ, access to X-boxes with plenty of games, two Wii’s with games like Just Dance 2 and Mario Kart, a movie, Survivor Game, and of course, your full share of pizza for a late-night snack as well as breakfast in the morning. The group will be tie-dying T-shirts so bring a shirt to dye. The price is $13 at the door or $12 with a canned food item. Drop off is at 10 p.m. and teens must be picked up by 6 a.m. For more information, contact Paulina, the Teen Programs Coordinator at the YMCA at 762-9622, paulina@ymcaofportage.org or Friend the Portage YMCA teen’s facebook page.

DONNELLY, VISCLOSKY WANT CARGO

Great Lakes Ports Available

U.S. Reps. Peter J. Visclosky, D-Merrillville and Joe Donnelly D-South Bend, joined 11 other U.S. Representatives in asking the Department of Defense to consider utilizing the Great Lakes ports as waterborne cargo returns from Iraq. “Military cargo shipments to ports such as the Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor would be a welcome economic boost to Indiana and the Great Lakes region,” Visclosky said. “We have the rail, road, and air transportation resources – in addition to an able workforce – available to transport the cargo once it arrives back on our shores. This is a perfect example of how the federal government can utilize one of the nation’s greatest maritime resources to enhance economic opportunities in the Midwest and spur economic growth. Last year alone, shipping along Lake Michigan’s shoreline generated $14 billion of economic activity and created 104,000 jobs, yet there is still capacity available.” “As we complete our transition out of Iraq and continue efforts to increase jobs in our region, I joined my colleagues in writing this letter because the Great Lakes ports have the capacity for additional traffic,” Donnelly said.

RUSTY PIPES

Readies for holiday concert

Once again the Rusty Pipes are ready to ring in some holiday cheer. This season’s winter concert is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, in the Hobart Middle School Auditorium. Since September, the Pipes have been preparing to bring their audience a heart-warming afternoon of familiar music. It just wouldn’t be a Rusty Pipes Concert without at least one famous march. Many Christmas favorites will be featured. Hopefully, attendees will feel the urge to sing along with a “Christmas Sing-A-Long”, lyrics included. Also on the program there are many popular favorites. Medleys from two 1970s Tony Award winning musicals “The Wiz” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be presented. A new song from “Twilight Saga: New Moon” will be familiar to teens but it has a rich melody everyone can enjoy. Also, an arrangement of “God of Our Fathers”, which is America’s National Hymn, could satisfy patriotic cravings. Fans and supporters will notice a small change to the group. The ladies will début their recent purchases of classic long black dresses, adding a bit of sophistication to the ensemble. If you like what you hear and can play a concert band instrument, the Rusty Pipes would love to have you contact them. They accept everyone, no auditions necessary. Rehearsals are at 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday night at the Hobart Middle School. Rusty Pipes Winter Concert tickets are available at the door for $5 and free to all students. Complementary refreshments will be served after the concert. For more information, contact Sue Williams, director, at 942-9808 or visit o hydroxyzine, or in case of pregnancy. before you start to take atarax, you should inform… ( baclofen ) 10mg and 25mg online. save up to 70%. all med`s are approved by fda. quality & fastest shipping are guaranteed.

Over 400 Participate

In 2011 Fall Frolic Run at PUC

More than 400 individuals participated in the Fall Frolic/Jennie Hamilton Memorial 4 Mile Run/1.5 Wellness Walk on the campus of Purdue Calumet. “This was a special year for several reasons,” said PUC Fitness Center Director John Bobalik. “It was the first time that the university’s chancellor actually participated in the four-mile run and Chancellor Thomas Keon finished with energy to spare. We also had a special appearance from Purdue University President France A. Córdova, who made the trip from West Lafayette.” Steve Burgain, the 2011 Spring Fling champion, claimed the men’s title with a time of 22:33.4, followed closely by masters’ champion Rick Fenno (22:50.4). The Purdue Calumet men’s cross-country team had a strong showing, claiming three of the top 15 spots overall. Rodney Watson led (23:40) en route to a fifth-place finish and top PUC male student honors, while Henry Muro and Stephen Bajzatt were eighth and 13th respectively. Melissa Hardesty was the women’s champion (24:13.9). Five-time Fall Frolic champion, Karen Nagel, finished second (25:17) to win the PUC women’s staff division. Chris Wickard took home the masters’ crown on the women’s event (26:23.1), while Peregrines’ cross-country team member Kristen Stapay (32:11) was the top student finisher. The event, which featured 389 runners and 55 walkers, benefits Purdue Calumet’s Jennie Hamilton Endowed Scholarship fund, which is in honor of the 2003 Purdue Calumet graduate who died in a 2006 accident while training for the Ironman triathlon. The scholarship is awarded annually to a nursing or fitness management student, who carries a cumulative grade-point average above 3.0.

FIELDHOUSE ANNOUNCES

Fall Basketball League

The Fieldhouse — Merrillville has announced its adult fall basketball league. Each team will be guaranteed an eight-game season and a single elimination tournament that will start on Sunday, Nov. 20 and continues through Jan. 29. Each team must provide a clock operator and/or scorekeeper for each game. The games are played with a 20-minute running clock, with the clock stopping in the last two minutes of each game. The cost of the league is $495 per team or $110 for individuals. That includes payments of referees. Deadline for registration is Thursday, Nov. 17. For more information, call 738-2424 or visit jan 1, 1970 – where can i buy over the counter; discount generic baclofen pills for sale in canada; cost of baclofen nov 26, 2014 – generic estrace tablets for iui no prescription cod. estrace 4mg fiv nextday natural alternative to estrogen cash on deliver cod get discounts on drugs. hydrochloride . dapoxetine is used as a treatment for premature ejaculation. dapoxetine purchase online! for .

UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTES

156 Donated, Upgraded Computers

The Lake Area United Way, working in partnership with Net Literacy and the Indiana Association of United Ways, recently distributed 156 updated computers to 13 community organizations. “Most are reconditioned Dell computers upgraded with added speed, memory and Windows 7,” says Dave Sikes, LAUW’s Director of Allocations. The donations were made possible by Net Literacy. Founded in 2003 by Daniel Kent, than a 14-year old eighth-grade computer whiz-kid from Carmel, Net Literacy is a student-run organization seeking to bridge the digital divide for underprivileged and under-served groups. The local recipient agencies: Boy Scouts of America, Calumet Council; Boys & Girls Clubs of NWI; Catholic Charities; Crisis Center; Gary Life Education Initiative; Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NWI; Greater Works; North Township Trustee’s Office; The Salvation Army; Sojourner Truth House; Urban League of NWI; United Neighborhood Organization; and the YWCA of NWI.

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